Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Shaking My Head

I don't get it. I really don't. This past Saturday, a RCMP officer was murdered when responding to a distress call at an apartment building at 5:00 am. When dispatch lost radio contact with Constable Warden, other officers were sent to the scene. It is unclear as to how long it took to find Const. Warden, but he was found in a wooded area across the street from the apartment building. Const. Warden was dying from gunshot wounds where he shortly thereafter died in the hospital.

One day later, a suspect was charged with first degree murder and a manhunt has ensued and is still ongoing. The manhunt now encompasses all of WESTERN CANADA and this suspect is a known individual to the police; he has had past altercations with the drug and gang police unit in Northern Alberta.

Now this is where I really start shaking my head: in today's newspaper and on TV, the suspect's family will not encourage this individual to give himself up. Why? Well they believe that he is innocent. For me this is difficult to comprehend. Would it not be prudent to encourage this individual to give himself over and then go by the old adage, Innocent until Proven Guilty? To me by continuing to run, it is demonstrating guilt and a lack of character. One family member of the suspect has even gone so far as to indicate that the suspect could not be guilty because he has a three month old child. Former teachers of the suspect claim that they are not surprised to hear that he is in hot water so to speak but have not gone as far as to say that they believe he would be capable of murder. Regardless, obviously the suspect has had to be involved as some level to be formerly charged of this crime.

So, to the suspect's family: What about Constable Worden's family? What about his wife and his beautiful 8 month old daughter that have been left behind? If the shoe was on the other foot, would you not wish to have the person who is suspected of taking away everything that was precious to you, to come forward even if he turned out to be innocent? Sorry, call me judgemental or call me cynical, but I just can not justify your stance by the message that you have sent via the media to Emrah Bulatci or Justin Elise or whatever name he is going by now to continue to run.

6 comments:

Andrea said...

Obviously I missed the news tonight, so this is the first I've heard of this, but I DEFINITELY agree with you. Not only is it immature to run and hide, but really, if you are running, you most likely have done something WRONG!!! But oh, I feel so much for his wife and beautiful little girl who are left behind. How heartbreaking.

Andrea said...

Oh...and on a side note...it is too bad we don't live closer together so our boys could find the best deals in the newspaper together...haha. (although you ARE closer than lots of my other blogger friends...I'm from SK)

Jenn said...

I'm with you too. Running is bad, don't run away from the law. I heard the wife thanking the public for the support and thought that was so brave of her.

Jenn

Ellen said...

I've been away for the weekend.. where did this happen?? (since I am in AB) crazy..

Lesley said...

Here, here!

I'm glad I'm not the only one in total disbelief about that. I can't believe the family's reaction either. Running doesn't help his innocence.

I was surprised that his wife thanked everyone for their support and commented how she feels like she has the support of the nation behind her. That was so moving to hear. I just don't think I'd be so rational so soon if it were me.

Goofball said...

has he been caught yet?